We’ve learned this season that the Washington Commanders have a lot of holes. We knew heading into the season that the offensive line and the quarterback positions were huge question marks.
The Commanders created more holes at the NFL trade deadline by trading defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. However, in return, Washington received a second-round pick and a third-round selection, giving the Commanders five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
With a new regime likely coming in less than two weeks and Washington up to No. 3 in the 2024 NFL draft, it’s time for mock draft season.
Pro Football Focus recently did a four-round mock draft, giving the Commanders six picks. This would be a haul for Washington, adding help at multiple key positions, including the offensive line.
Let’s examine PFF’s four-round mock draft.
Round 1, No. 3 overall: North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Maye has everything you want in a modern NFL quarterback. His ceiling is Justin Herbert, according to some. He has the size, arm and athleticism to be a long-term NFL franchise quarterback. He’s also the quarterback who succeeded Sam Howell at North Carolina.
Round 2, No. 35 overall: Arizona OT Jordan Morgan
A three-year starter at left tackle, Morgan has climbed draft boards with a strong season. At 6-foot-5, 328 pounds, he has the size and feet to play left tackle for a long time.
Round 2, No. 40 overall: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw, Jr.
The Commanders would address their issues at cornerback by adding Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Playing in the SEC, Rakestraw is a multi-year starter with success against some of college football’s best wide receivers. Rakestraw is tough and competitive and succeeds in man or zone coverage. He is not a track guy; he is a football player.
Round 3, No. 67 overall: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
Kingsley Suamataia is massive and experienced. He has all the tools to play left tackle in the NFL, but he could also be Washington’s right tackle. He can be a dominant run blocker from the right side. He began his career at Oregon before transferring to BYU, where he played for the past two seasons. Based on his potential alone, Suamataia should go much higher than the third round.
Round 3, No. 100 overall: Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett
Do we sense a theme here? In Pritchett, the Commanders would be landing another tough and competitive SEC cornerback with plenty of experience. Rakestraw and Pritchett could both play early for Washington, given their college experience.
Round 4, No. 103 overall: West Virginia C Zach Frazier
In this mock draft, the Commanders added a quarterback and two offensive tackles. Here, they land another experienced college player in WVU center Zach Frazier. Frazier was a four-year starter at West Virginia. He can play in a zone or man scheme and is a powerful blocker who uses outstanding leverage. Frazier in the fourth round would be another incredible value for the Commanders.
